Rounds Cosponsors Obamacare Replacement Plan

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) joined his colleagues in introducing the Patient Freedom Act, a conservative response to protect millions of Americans who are at risk of losing their health care coverage following the Supreme Court’s ruling in King v. Burwell. The Patient Freedom Act, introduced by Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), lowers costs, eliminates mandates, gives states the power and puts patients in control of their health care. 

“The Administration has no plan to protect the American people if the Supreme Court rules against Obamacare’s healthcare subsidies, a decision that could come any day now,” said Rounds. “For 19,000 South Dakotans, that means lost federal healthcare subsidies and up to a 178 percent increase in their health care premiums. Our legislation, carefully crafted by Dr. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, is a long-term solution that is patient-centered and puts states back in the driver’s seat. It provides states with the flexibility, funding and control to determine the best health care plan for their needs and rids them of Obamacare’s federal mandates.”

 Original cosponsors include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), Sens. David Vitter (R-LA), Dan Coats (R-IN), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Jim Inhofe (R-OK). A companion bill will be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Dr. Ralph Abraham (R-LA).

 View legislation HERE and see more information below. 

Overview

 The Patient Freedom Act is a market-based solution that gives patients the power by lowering costs, eliminating mandates, returning power to states over insurance, and giving patients knowledge. 

• Doing nothing is not an option
• King v. Burwell will be decided this month and Republicans need a plan
• Americans expect Congress to have an Obamacare alternative for the 5-10 million people impacted 

• Under the Patient Freedom Act, states have three options:
  
  • Continue Obamacare and establish a state exchange
  • Do nothing while 5-10 million people lose their health care
  • Enact the Patient Freedom Act – choosing conservative, free market health care solutions

• This plan lowers costs by repealing unpopular Obamacare federal mandates, including:
  
  • Individual mandate
  • Employer mandate
  • Federal essential health benefits mandate

• The Patient Freedom Act ensures health care dollars go directly to the patient:
  
  • States could choose to receive this funding through either a per capita patient grant or a federal tax credit, depending on the state’s preference
  • However, unlike under Obamacare, this funding goes DIRECTLY to patients

• Patients are empowered:
  
  • Patients receive their money through a Health Savings Account (HSA), empowering patients to make the best decision for them and their families
  • HSAs are reformed to allow patients to use their health care dollars for more options

• Patients have the power of portability, protection and price transparency:
  
  • Patients can move between health insurance plans without penalty each year
  • Those with pre-existing conditions are protected
  • Providers must publish a cash price for services reimbursed from HSAs, empowering patients to make informed decisions